LaPorte Police Warn Residents of ‘Government Grant’ Scam

A 46-year-old woman told police she received a phone call from a 1-800 number telling her she qualified for a $5,000 government grant. She was told the money would be put in her bank account, but first she had to give her debit card number and pay $4.95 to verify her account. She was given a confirmation number, as well as a website, e-mail address, and phone number of a supervisor. Police say when she checked her bank account just over a week later, she found a pending unauthorized charge for $59.90 for “Information USA INC, Kensington, MD.” The woman tried calling the 1-800 number, but it went to a lawn care company. Then, she tried the phone number for the supervisor several times and got no answer.

LaPorte Police say you should never give out personal or banking information over the phone and that if you’re in doubt about a caller, contact local police before giving any information.